What? Usability? Is that a word?

Yes, it is. According to Webster’s American English dictionary it dates back to the 14th century and has two meanings:

1 : capable of being used
2 : convenient and practicable for use

The Internet hasn’t been around for very long, so we adopted this word to describe user experience when using online services.

It seems simple, but many people confuse “usability” for a word associated with a glut of information and services offered on the website. (That word is: “convoluted.”)

The latest trends in website design include open space, a clean look without boundaries, soft shapes, and intuitive navigation. Until a year or two ago, all websites had the same look: a header image, 5 to 7 menu items with submenus, a content block, and a footer. Today’s user expects to be guided by his or her intuition to locate information.

With this new trend, the web designer’s job has become more challenging; we are required to gather numerous opinions and user experiences before finalizing a project. Is our website design user-friendly? Is our website’s content management system intuitive? With so many websites on the Internet today, is difficult for most web designers to create a page to reach your target audience while maintaining a sleek and sturdy appeal.

While many companies and freelancers still practice old techniques, Kenmore Design is a full service web design service dedicated to cutting-edge practices. We improve your experience by launching usability to a new level.